Title

The Dynamics Of Penal Reform

Abstract

Over the past two decades, a vast body of literature has developed that examines various penal reforms. However, several writers have argued this literature is empirically weak and theoretically overgeneralized. To advance the penal reform literature, it has been suggested that micro-studies informed by multiple theoretical frameworks be employed. This study responds to this call by providing a case study of intermediate punishment. Specifically, the study explores a reform's origins, operations, and outcomes, and how the motivations and activities of several control agents impact this process. A major finding associated with this reform effort is a "piling up of sanctions." The "piling up of sanctions" exposes offenders to a number of punitive and rehabilitative controls, which often leads to violations and returns to the correctional system. To adequately interpret this and other reform process findings, several frameworks, including organizational, political economy, and professional ideology, are necessary. In particular, Cohen's (1984) notion of "deposits" is useful in describing the relationships that underly the reform process. © 1997 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Publication Date

1-1-1996

Publication Title

Crime, Law and Social Change

Volume

26

Issue

4

Number of Pages

367-384

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00138902

Socpus ID

27144532144 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/27144532144

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